12 Hour Karate Training Session

On Saturday 17th January 2009, 35 LKA Karateka completed a mammoth 12 hour training session to raise money for Mel Finlay and Joe Hart's Charity Work trip to Kenya this coming summer.

The session started at 7.00am and was divided into hour long blocks. At the end of each session there was a five minute break to take on food and water, take a toilet break or change Gi's.

The instruction was split between Nick Heald, Matt Price, Harry Finlay, Zoe Starr, Daryn Hobden, Brian Lister, Nick Midgley, Joe Hart and Dave Bulmer.

With training lasting 12 hours, it gave a wide scope to vary the topics covered. Along with the usual Kihon, Kata, Kumite and Bunkai, we also practiced Padwork, Boxing, Grappling and Sprinting.

It is worth mentioning that all the Karateka that set out to do the 12 hours at 7.00am were still going strong at 7.00pm, an excellent achievement by all. Perhaps most noteworthy was Vic Collier who at the age of 67 showed that age is only a barrier if you want it to be. Vic's determination should serve as an inspiration to all Karateka and the LKA is very proud of him!

Mel and Joe would like to thank everyone who put themselves through the pain to help them out and we in turn would like to wish them the very best of luck when they go to Kenya.